When lifting a patient it is important to stand firmly; to do this the feet should be placed well apart, bracing one foot against the leg of the bed Try to bend the back as little as possible, make the knees do the bending. In lifting, endeavor to have the weight come on your shoulders, not on your back. For example, when a patient is to be helped into a sitting position, bend your knees till your shoulder is only slightly higher than the patient's, then have her put her arm across your shoulders, have your shoulder directly under her armpit, your elbow supporting her head, your hand under her other armpit-your other hand is thus free to arrange the pillows. Now raise the patient. By using this method your shoulder bears the burden, whereas if you attempt to raise the patient by bending your back, or if you have the patient's arm around your neck, the entire weight must be sustained by your back, which will soon become strained.

A back rest should always be provided when the patient sits up in bed for the first time. Many varieties of these are to be had, and they are inexpensive; some are made entirely of wood, others have a wooden framework with canvas stretched across it. A good substitute for the back rest is a straight back chair turned upside down. The pillows should be placed across the rest in such a way that the head will not be thrown forward and that the small of the back will be well supported.

When the patient is obliged to sit up all, or nearly all the time, something should be provided for her to brace her feet against. A convenient arrangement for this purpose is a board the same length as the width of the bed and about twelve inches wide, placed between double folds of strong muslin which must be long enough to tie around the head of the bed when the board is supporting the patient's feet. The board may be padded on one side if desired.

When a patient has slipped down in bed and needs to be drawn up, place one arm under the shoulders in the usual crooked position so that your elbow may support her head, and taking a firm grip under the upper part of her arm, put your other arm under the thighs, and move the patient gently upwards. If well enough the patient can flex her knees and help in the movement.

The Back Rest

Foot Brace

Change of Position

If a patient is so heavy that two persons are required to move her, they should stand on opposite sides of the bed and reaching across the patient's back firmly grasp her under the armpits, their crossed arms thus forming a V-shaped rest for her head while they clasp each other's hands under her thighs.

When the patient is well enough to help herself, putting a stout, broad piece of muslin round the foot of the bed with the ends long enough to be grasped, will help her to assume a sitting position; one round the top of the bed will help her to pull herself up higher in bed.

If necessary to change your charge from one bed to another, place the beds about five feet apart, parallel with each other, with the head of one on a line with the foot of the other. Unless the patient is very light there should be two to lift, both standing on the same side (between the beds). One puts her arms under the shoulders and buttocks, the other under the back and thighs. If possible have the patient hold herself stiff. Lift her gently in unison, turn round and place her on the fresh bed.

If the patient is heavy three may be required to do this well. Under these circumstances the first lifter supports the head and small of the back, the second the shoulders and thighs, the third the buttocks and under the knees.

A Back Rest, Canvas Covered

Changing the Patient from One Bee to Another

When the lighting of the room or other considerations render it unadvisable to change the position of the head of the bed, they are placed near together with the heads on a line. The patient is lifted from the far side of the first bed, carried around between the two, and laid down in the second bed. This entails a longer carry, but if all work in unison it is not difficult.

Changing A Patient From One Bed To Another